Saturday, April 1, 2023

Crucifixion: Triplets of Sacrifice

 




When putting up the outdoor Nativity last year, my husband Richard was inspired to make a wooden cross and place it behind the Baby Jesus. This made perfect sense to me, as He was born to die. The Son of God wrapped Himself in human flesh (John 1:2) to become the perfect sacrifice to pay our sin debt, to reconcile sinful man to Holy God through His death on the cross.

As we continue our study of triplets in Scripture, echoing God’s Triune nature, we find the same pattern repeated in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, just as it was in His birth. All of Christian doctrine, and our blessed hope of eternal life and of His glorious reappearing (Titus 2:13; 1 Peter 1:3), hinges on the sacred triplet of His death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

After the trial presided over by Herod, Jesus was led away to be crucified, and Simon of Cyrene was recruited to carry His cross. This was not because the Jews and Romans had any shred of mercy for Jesus, but because they did not want Him to die before He was crucified, so that He would be a public example of what would happen to traitors and blasphemers.

The crowd following Jesus cried out in anguish over their fallen Leader, but Jesus told them, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your childrenand warned them that they would undergo a tribulation so severe that they would say blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. (Luke 23: 27-29)

Jesus was nailed to the cross at three points: one on each hand, and one at His feet. His resurrection body had three wounds from this ordeal that He invited the disciples and Thomas to examine: one on each hand, and one in His side (John 20:20). The inscription on His cross, calling Him the King of the Jews, was in three languages: Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew (Luke 23:38).

On Calvary’s hill that fateful day, there were three crosses, for the cross of Jesus was between that of two thieves (Matthew.27:38; Luke 23:33). These three represented the entire relationship of God with man: The Saviorthose who accept Him; and those who reject Him (Luke 23:39-43).

Among those who rejected Him were passersby who mockingly reminded Jesus of His own words: Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself (Matthew 27:40). Sadly, they were unaware that His prophecy would be fulfilled as He willingly laid down the temple of His body to be destroyed, knowing that He would arise on the third day.

The crucifixion of Jesus began at the third hour (Mark 15 25) and was followed by three hours of darkness, from the sixth hour until the ninth hour. At that moment, Jesus cried out in a three-part lament: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Mark 15:33-34).

At the cross, the dying Savior, His closest apostle John, and His mother Mary became a triplet of compassion as Jesus asked John to care for His mother as if she were his own, and John accepted this awesome responsibility (John 19:26).

As we approach our celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, may we do three things to honor Him.  First, may we be among those who accept Him as their Lord and Savior. Second, may we always remember His purpose in coming to earth – that through His death, burial and resurrection, all who trust Him may have eternal life! (John 3:16) And finally, may we be faithful to preach Christ, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23).


© 2012 Laurie Collett 
Reposted from the archives



4 comments:

Frank E. Blasi said...

Dear Laurie,
Just as three crosses were standing outside Jerusalem on that day, throughout history, there were three trees - the Tree of Life, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the Cross of Christ.
In the future New Jerusalem, the Tree of Life will be there. I also believe that the Cross will also be there to remind every inhabitant that without the Cross, not a single human being would have been saved, not even Abraham, Moses, or King David.
Absent would be the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, as never again would sin be allowed to enter the world.
Blessings to you and Richard.

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Frank,
Excellent point about the three trees! I agree that the Tree of Life will be present and the Tree of knowledge of Good and Evil absent. Whether or not the Cross will be present, we will have the perpetual reminder of the crucifixion in the wounds in Jesus's hands, feet and side, as these were present in His glorified body seen by the disciples.
Thanks for your insightful comment. May God bless you and Alex,
Laurie

Brenda said...

Hi Laurie,
yes the number three is very significant in the scriptures, also within us as believers. We are made up of the body, the soul and the spirit. The body being the fleshly being that lives life upon the earth, the soul being the character within the body, and the spirit being what guides our bodies upon the earth. May we always continue to live according to the Holy Spirit of our Father God and our Lord Jesus. God bless.

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Brenda,
Amen -- we are made in God's image, and just as He is a Triune Being, so are we. Our pastor likes to say that our body communicates with the external world, our soul with our own desires and needs, and our spirit with God. Thank you for your encouraging comment and God bless,
Laurie